Van Deer H power 68 — Review

The Van Deer H-Power 68 is the narrowest piste ski in Marcel Hirscher's Red Bull-backed brand's H-Power Series, built around World Cup race technology for advanced-to-expert piste skiers. Verified sidecut is 117-68-98 mm at 147 cm and 115.5-68-97 mm from 154 through 182 cm, with per-length radius progression from 10 m at 147 cm to 19 m at 182 cm. Weights per single ski range from 1625 g (147 cm) to 2235 g (182 cm). Construction is an ash-poplar wood core reinforced with two layers of Titanal, full ABS sidewalls and race edges.

At 68 mm underfoot with two layers of Titanal and per-length radii from 10 to 19 m, the H-Power 68 delivers race-quality edge grip and a wide range of turn options. Shorter lengths (147-161 cm) with radii of 10-10.5 m suit tight slalom-style carves, while 175 cm (16 m) and 182 cm (19 m) shift toward GS-style long-arc turns. Weights of 1800-2235 g at longer lengths give it strong damping on hard snow but demand aggressive fore-aft loading. Off piste it is unsuitable.

Core: ash-poplar wood with two full layers of Titanal — Hirscher's preferred race construction — plus full ABS sidewalls, race edges and a race base. Sidecut varies slightly per length (117-68-98 at 147; 115.5-68-97 elsewhere), with a per-length radius progression from 10 m (147, 154, 161) through 13 (168), 16 (175) to 19 m (182). Six lengths cover 147 through 182 cm.

Compared to the Volkl Racetiger sl the H-Power 68 offers a similar race-tech piste feel but with a wider length range and Hirscher's construction philosophy. Against the Augment AM 88 it is narrower and more piste-specialist. Compared to the Head Worldcup rebels e sl pro it is closer to a consumer race carver than a FIS-legal slalom ski.

Pros

• Verified full spec data across all six lengths (dimensions, radius, weight).
• Two layers of Titanal deliver race-quality edge grip on hard snow.
• Per-length radius progression from 10 to 19 m tailors turn shape to length.
• Marcel Hirscher-designed with World Cup construction pedigree.

Cons

• 68 mm waist limits off-piste use to almost none.
• Stiff race-adjacent flex demands aggressive technique.
• Weights past 2000 g at 175-182 cm require strong fitness.
• Premium pricing reflecting boutique construction.

Verdict: A race-tech 68 mm piste specialist for advanced-to-expert carvers who want Marcel Hirscher's construction pedigree in a non-FIS package. Best matched to firm groomed slopes and skiers who load the shovels hard.